Since premiering on ABC in 2009, Shark Tank—the hit reality show wherein up-and-coming entrepreneurs pitch their products to a panel of potential investors—has become synonymous with buzz. Some of the weirdest, most talked-about items of the last decade, from Scrub Daddy sponges to the Squatty Potty, first appeared on the show and have since gone on to achieve cult-like status among shoppers.
The reason? As bizarre as many of these products might seem, they offer creative solutions to common, everyday problems. Having the Shark Tank seal of approval makes many of them great to give as gifts during the holiday season, too, especially if you’ve got someone on your list who’s usually hard to shop for, as a gadget that’s been approved by the “sharks” of the show can pass muster by virtue of how inventive it is. Below are 12 of the best Shark Tank gifts that’ll impress even the pickiest person on your list.
1. For the Kitchen Expert: Safe Grabs Microwave Mats; $32
Cyndi Lee scored a deal with Lori Greiner on season eight of Shark Tank for this versatile kitchen accessory. After a childhood spent scalding herself by grabbing of bowls straight out of the microwave, Lee came up with Safe Grabs, a BPA-free silicone mat that can be used for everything from handling hot pots to setting them down (but avoiding potential countertop damage).
Buy It: Amazon
2. For Those With Smelly Feet: ZorPads Odor-Eliminating Shoe Inserts; $10
These pads can be discreetly inserted into shoes to eliminate foot-related odors from a long day at the office or gym. Each pair can last up to 60 days. Entrepreneurs Taylor Wiegele and Sierra Smith struck a deal for their innovation on season 10 with Lori Greiner and guest Shark Charles Barkley.
Buy It: Amazon
3. For The One Who Just Wants to Be Cozy: The Comfy; $55
Featuring a fluffy Sherpa interior and plush microfiber exterior, this Shark Tank-approved pick appeared on season nine and is perfect for those nights when your giftee wishes they could stay bundled up in a blanket, even when they’re cooking dinner or futzing around the house.
Buy It: Amazon
4. For The One Who Hates That It Gets Dark So Early: Circadian Optics Light Therapy Lamp; $50
Winter means the days are colder and shorter. The lack of sunlight can do a number on folks in a variety of ways, but light therapy lamps have been shown to help alleviate some symptoms related to seasonal affective disorder. If you know someone who could use a little pick-me-up this holiday season, consider gifting them this 4.6-star-rated lamp from Circadian Optics. The company, which appeared on season 11 of Shark Tank, claims this UV-free light can last for approximately 50,000 hours and may help to combat the winter blues.
Buy It: Amazon
5. For The Busy Coffee Lover: Copper Cow Vietnamese Pour-Over Coffee Set; $48
Founded by Vietnamese-American Debbie Wei Mullin, this woman-owned business appeared on season 12 of Shark Tank and has since become a cult-favorite among coffee fanatics. This set comes with 15 sustainably sourced and organic packets of pre-ground and pre-measured Vietnamese coffee, with a filter included, so it takes all the guesswork out of making a delicious cup of java.
Buy It: Amazon
6. For The One Who Wants To Change Up Their Fitness Routine: Bala Bangles; $40
At first glance, your giftee might easily mistake these wearable weights for cute bracelets, and that’s kind of the idea. Since appearing on season 11 of Shark Tank, Bala Bangles have taken the fitness world by storm and are popular with influencers not only because of how they look, but how functional they are. They’re available in one- or two-pound increments and feature an adjustable band, so users can fit them comfortably to their body and rock them as they’re doing everyday stuff like vacuuming or even just lounging on a sofa.
Buy It: Amazon
7. For The One Who’d Rather Be Eating Pizza: Bertello Outdoor Pizza Oven; $356
Shopping for someone who wants to eat pizza every chance they get? The Bertello outdoor pizza oven could be a match made in holiday gift-giving heaven. Designed to cook with wood and gas at the same time, this season 11 product cooks at just over 930°F, so pizza is done in under two minutes. If your loved one gets starry-eyed whenever a slice of brick-oven or wood-fired 'za passes by, this bundle might just be the best present they ever receive.
Buy It: Amazon
8. For the Smart Home Aficionado: Ring Video Doorbell Wired; $65
If you’re shopping for someone who’s curious about smart tech, Ring’s celebrated video doorbell could be a terrific option. Considered one of the most successful Shark Tank products of all time, it appeared on season five of the show and has gone through several updates over the years. The newest generation, released in 2020, offers 1080-pixel, high-definition video quality and will allow your giftee to see, hear, and speak to anyone via their phone, tablet, or laptop. Additionally, this smart device is rechargeable but can connect to existing doorbell wires, and delivers better motion detection, night vision, and enhanced audio privacy compared to older models.
Buy It: Amazon
9. For The One Who Always Drops Their Glasses: Readerest Magnetic Eyeglass Holders, Set of 2; $21
Readerest magnetic eyeglass holders help eliminate a problem that those who wear 'specs know well: the constant risk of dropping or otherwise damaging pricey eyewear. After appearing on season three of Shark Tank, the brand’s popularity skyrocketed, and this two-pack, which works to keep eyeglasses securely in place, became one of the most popular items on Amazon. More than 3600 reviewers on the site have tried these, with several saying they’re a great substitute to “granny chains” and are well worth the price.
Buy It: Amazon
10. For the Cat Lover Who Wants To Know More About Their Pet: Basepaws Cat DNA Testing Kit; $159
Calling all cat lovers (and the people who are gift-shopping for them): This DNA testing kit that appeared on season 10 of Shark Tank could be a great way to learn more about pets and screen for common feline-related health problems. Similar to at-home human DNA testing kits like 23andMe, Basepaws is non-invasive and designed to be simple to use—all your gift recipient has to do is swab their cat’s inner cheek and then send the sample back to the company. It takes about four to six weeks to get results and can reveal a cat’s true breed, as well as provide insights into their wildcat ancestry. The company also screens for over 38 genetic mutations that correspond to more than 16 genetic health conditions and delivers a feline dental health report.
Buy It: Amazon
11. For The One Who Likes To Stay Trimmed: Manscaped Perfect Duo; $105
Manscaped appeared on season 10 of Shark Tank with a mission to help those who identify as men feel less stressed out about grooming. Over 2000 Amazon shoppers have tried this two-piece trimmer kit and consider it well worth the investment, and chances are your gift recipient will, too.
Buy It: Amazon
12. For the Germaphobe: PhoneSoap 3 UV Phone Sanitizer and Dual Charger; $40
Phones are gross—so gross, in fact, that scientists at the University of Arizona discovered they carry about 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats. If your giftee squirms over how dirty their phone is on a regular basis, this dual phone sanitizer and charger could provide some much-needed peace of mind. This gadget, which was featured on season six of Shark Tank, uses UV-C bulbs to get rid of up to 99.99 percent of germs and bacteria, and offers one USB port and one USB-C port for convenient charging of Apple and Android devices. Best of all, your gift recipient can use it to quickly sanitize other common household items, from keys to headphones, and so much more.
Buy It: Amazon